The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1887-01-27

lists IN SUCH Crises Go many countries
now owe in great part the enjoyment
of civil and religious liberty. More
especially is this true if we include
in the category as should be done,
those brave spirits who, in the early
days Of the printing press, when the
modern newspaper was as yet unborn,
flooded the world with light from their
pens difused through the dark medi-
um of printers ink in books and
pamphlets. Not only heroism in de-
Gliding whether or not to make a
breach for liberty in the ramparts Of in
trenched power and privilege must the
journalist be tested, but the highest
judgment he can command must be ex-
ercised as to time, mode and place for
making the assault. He must calcu-
late with prudence and exactitude the
forces to be relied upon at the disposal
of the public in whose service he
places himself Otherwise, by prema-
ture or ill-advised action he may work
damage to the cause espoused, from
which recovery will be long and pain
full, as we'll as sacrifice himself in the
bargain
But, leaving this high ground Of
ideal journalism, which, it must be con
fessed, has hitherto been all but unoc-
cupied in Hawaiian journalism, let a
descent be made to the level of things
as they are in this country. Have the
journals, as whole, faithfully perform
ed the duties devolving upon them
clearly within the scope Of their un-
questioned legal privileges Sorry to
be compelled to give the reply, based
on very recent developments, the press
of Honolulu has come far short of alb
solving itself of its grave responsible
ties Charges OF wrongdoing, or Of
dereliction of duty, brought against
public men doubtless are often only
the emanations Of partisan opinion OF
Of prejudiced observation. To at
tribute them to such origin, is, how
ever, often the sole refuge OF scoun
drels when even the proverbial profes
sion Of patriotism fails that class. Al
all events, when culpatory statements
of fact are adduced and not denied
when accusations against those in pub
lie position are unequivocally presented
in open day, and no defense is offered
then it is criminal on the part of pub
lie journalist to ignore the matters a
issue. He should apply the resources
at his command to ascertaining whethel
or not there be any foundation for the
Implication Of servants Of the public
as the duty of defending The innocen
falls upon his shoulders with equa
weight to that of accusing the guilty
Very grave mpostions upon the PEG
pie of this Kingdom have within tn
past few weeks been laid at the door Q
Il members of the Government ant
officials in its service. Yet all tn
newspapers supposed to be priyatel
, disinterested, except the one bringin
forward the alleged facts, have bee
Z totally obliyious to the matters in que:
ton. Either the charges were just G
, they were unjust. If the former tn
! silent journals failed in their duty
: the public in skipping them over Will
t out word; il the latter, the same e,
! ponents of fact and opinion acted mos
unkindly toward the persons criticized
There is no difference between tn
e guilt of one who declines to save
E man from drowning when it is in h
f power, and that of one who delibe
f ately pushes his fellow-being into tn
E fatal tide. In a mere newspaper du'
e it is proper enough for third party
e abstain from interfering; but whe
y questions arise which concern the we
, fare and honor of the nation, no G,
, emptiOn may be claimed by any journi
. protesting existence in the public il
S terest.
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